Helping Kids throughout the Rogue Valley

The Original Rogue Valley ToyRun

Facts About Rogue Valley ToyRun

1. The toy run was first started in 1980 by Jackson County ABATE, an organization involved in preservation of the political rights of motorcycle riders. It was held on the first Saturday of December and has been held on that day ever since. It is one the oldest, continuously held toy runs in the U.S.

2. 1992 was the first year Jackson County ABATE worked with the Medford Moose Lodge for the distribution of the toys to the less fortunate kids in the Rogue Valley at Christmas time.

3. In 1992 also marked the first year Gene Nelson headed up the event while serving as Chapter Coordinator of Jackson County ABATE.

4. In 1994 Jackson County ABATE turned in their Charter and were no more.

5.1998– 2007 D&S Harley Davidson was the host and a sponsor of the Rogue Valley Toy Run.

6. In 1999, we had 160 motorcycles and over 220 riders participate in the ride, in 2000 over 450 riders were on hand and in 2001, despite the cold and the rain, over 300 hearty souls came out to support the children of the Rogue Valley.

7. The Rogue Valley Toy Run 2000 is the first year that the Children's Miracle Network is the benefactor of all cash sales from commemorative T-shirts and memorabilia. Over $6000.00 was donated to the Children's Miracle Network.

8. The Medford Moose Lodge continued their tremendous support of the Rogue Valley Toy Run through the year 2001. The Moose members distributed all the toys that are donated, to individual families. These families applied to the Moose Lodge membership throughout the year. No families that benefited from the toy run are Moose members.

9. The Salvation Army distributed the massive mountain of toys from the Rogue Valley Toy Run starting in 2002. All of the toys remain in the Rogue Valley area. All families that need toys for their children, should apply to the Medford or Grants Pass Salvation Army Stores. The 24th annual Rogue Valley Toy Run had over 400 motorcycles and 550 riders. There was over $6000.00 collected and donated to the Children's Miracle Network.

10. In 2004 the world famous artist, Will Storm created and donated a Rogue Valley Toy Run original portrait of a small child, Santa and a Harley-Davidson Side car outfit. These very limited edition prints are available only here at Roguevalleytoyrun.com.

11. In 2005 the Rogue Valley Toy Run becomes 25 years old and celebrates it's birthday by extending the parade to Gold Hill. The City of Gold Hill welcomes the expected 500 plus riders by shutting down 4 city blocks to accommodate the celebration of generosity.

12. Special thanks go out to all of the new sponsors that continue to add their support for this community project. D&S Harley Davidson for their support in the years past, Eric Dillard for past T shirt design, Herb Sutton, Vortex Graphics for the hard work on the T shirts, Kevin Vander Kolk of Media Solutions, the Medford City Council, Sgt. Bob Hanson and Officer Greg Nichols of the Medford motor patrol for their organization of the run through Medford, Trooper Baker and the Oregon State Patrol motorcycle patrol, The City of Phoenix, OR and the City of Phoenix Police, Dana Fish of The Appliance Depot, KTVL, Channel 10, Mark Daley of Thunderstruck Custom Bikes, Quality Printing, Custom Body Art and Tattoo, Breeze Financial, Better View Glass, Heaven on Earth Restaurant, Starbuck’s, Channel 12 KDRV, Opus Broadcasting and The Drive 103 and to all of our future sponsors. We will need new sponsors as this event continues to grow.

13. In 2006 the 26th annual Rogue Valley Toy Run had a record number of 650 participants for the Toy Run and collected $7000.00 which is an all time record amount of money to be donated to The Children's Miracle Network.

14. In 2007 the City of Medford threatens to deny the Parade Permit that would allow the Rogue Valley Toy Run to go through the City of Medford due to Overtime costs. Star Collision Center owners JR and Mark Lamensdorf offer to pay the overtime costs associated with the escort of the parade through Medford.2007 also proved to be the biggest Rogue Valley Toy Run ever with 1000 participants and $10,000 collected and donated to the Children's Miracle Network. 

15. In 2008 Naumes Oregon Motor Sports was the new host for the Rogue Valley Toy Run.  The event had grown so much over the years a bigger and more accessible area was needed.  In 2008 there was a record number of over 750 motorcycles and 1200 participants all coming together to collect record numbers of toys and over $10,000.00 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Watch for upcoming details about this year's event!!